Alpine dam san francisco

The Alpine Dam and Seven Sisters route is one of my favorite weekend rides that takes you through the Mount Tamalpais Watershed and the ridgeline of Mount Tam State Park - boasting fantastic views, hard climbs, and technical descents. Starting in the city, you bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, down into Sausalito, and pass through a series of small, quaint towns. Before the big climb begins, you can stop at Fairfax Coffee Roastery for a morning pastry and cup of joe.

Make sure to load up on snacks and water before continuing on since the next pit stop to grab nutrition is 25 miles. Before hitting the first major landmark, you climb for several miles before hitting a series of downhill turns to reach Alpine Dam. This is the perfect spot to eat a small snack and take a couple pictures before the next major climb. The next section of the route gets steep; this is where your granny gear becomes your best friend. I typically take a breather and several large gulps of water at the intersection between Fairfax-Bolinas Road and W Ridgecrest Blvd.

You emerge from a forest-filled road surrounded by evergreens to an exposed ridgeline that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. You climb through a series of seven rolling hills, rightly named the Seven Sisters, before descending back down into Mill Valley.

Be forewarned, these siblings pack a punch! After all the climbing is done, there are a series of hairpin turns as you descend back into civilization.

It's a tough route, but well worth the views! Reward yourself with a treat from any of the restaurants or ice cream shops in Sausalito before heading back into San Francisco. As far as parking goes, you'll find paid spots along the waterfront at Crissy Field though some have a four-hour time limit.

Close to Fort Mason along Bay Street, there is ample and free! There are no fees or permits required for the route, which is along public roads. Alpine Dam Loop - Cycling. Made possible by. Photos About Review Comments Location. Photos You'll definitely want to take a breather at the the dam that gives this route its name. Recommended by. Written by Blane Bachelor. Destination Distance From Downtown. Time To Complete. All Seasons Though the route is doable year-round, spring and fall are ideal times for tackling it.

Dog Friendly No. Review Intro Make no mistake, this is world-class cycling: monster climbs and bombing descents, with the backdrop of the gorgeous NorCal coast creating a sublime riding experience.

What Makes It Great Many local riders like to break the ride up into three sections. Written by Blane Bachelor for RootsRated. Presidio Cycling. Planet of the Apes Ride. Diablo - Cycling. San Francisco Bay Trail - Cycling. Sign Up Live like a San Francisco local whenever, wherever.